Pensioner Trudie Sheppard, of Newent, has been highly commended in the latest Beacon Prize awards.
She was nominated alongside such high-profile names as Sir Bob Geldof and Jamie Oliver.
But Mrs Sheppard said she was "astonished" at the news and played down the great contribution she has made to local life over the years.
Her achievements include the setting up of Newent's Dial-a-Ride service in 1981 and raising funds to build the Sheppard House Day Centre in 1994, a building that bears her name.
Mrs Sheppard was nominated by friends at Sheppard House last year, but has only just heard about her success.
The Beacon Prize is a national body that seeks to raise the profile of philanthropy in the UK.
Beacon's chief executive Emily Stonor said: "Being highly commended is truly remarkable and we hope that Trudie's success story will be an inspiration to others."
Mrs Sheppard has received a certificate to mark her achievement.
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